Mr. Gerry Murphy:

On the cycle lane on the north quays, yes, it is a balance between all the interests. The acid test we use at the moment is whether one would put one's 12 year old child cycling unaccompanied on the quays. One would not because it is not safe. Evidently, we must do something. In doing something, we must ensure we keep traffic and bus movements working in the city. The challenge is to find the right scheme. We have four schemes in play. We ran them over the last year in consultation with business groups, gardaí and the bus operators to establish whether we could refine them. We have the four and will engage in public consultation on them this year so that the public can see the challenges we face. There is no easy solution, but we cannot do nothing. That is what we have to do, but I take the Senator's point.

The operators of both the Luas and the DART lines operate a security programme. They have security officers and drivers have phone links back to base, as well as relationships with the Garda. Sometimes problems arise despite all of these arrangements. It is something of which the operators are keenly aware. Particularly on the Luas, a great deal of intervention took place and security was increased on one line for a period in the early days when it opened. That was very successful. It is a matter we keep an eye on.